My Opinion of Some Popular SMS Manuals

If you are an SMS administrator (why else
would you be reading this?), there is no doubt that you have a few books lying
around that you reach for from time to time. My questions is, when you
reach for them, do they provide the answer?

If you are an SMS administrator (why else would you be reading this?), there is no doubt that you have a few books lying around that you reach for from time to time. My questions is, when you reach for them, do they provide the answer?

I have read about 5 SMS 2.0 manuals over the
past couple of years. Here's my spin on them and my advice
on which are the best.

Systems Management Server 2.0 Training
(Microsoft Press):

This is one that you should read if you are
just starting up, and then put it away forever. Although it provides a
nice introduction to the product, it will not help you when you are in a pinch
at 10:00 at night and you have people breathing down your neck. It comes
with a basic training CD and your typical 120 day software as well.

Systems Management Server 2 24/7 (Network
Press):

This is another introductory book. The
one difference is that this one gives you some real case scenarios and walks you
through how they were resolved. Although this might some day come in
handy, I don't know that this introductory book is the platform to give these
examples. I also think that by the time you would be able to use any of
these examples, you will be so far removed from the book that it would take you
hours to find out where had originally seen them.

Great book. This book is for the low-level engineer looking to move ahead in their role. It does not waste time
on pointless aspects of the product and has regularly provided me with real-time
answers when I needed them the most. I would advise this to anyone who is going to
be getting into the role of SMS administrator.

Systems Management Server 2.0 Resource
Guide:

Another must have. This book gets into
the high-level technical detail that you will need if you want to become a strong
administrator. It explains how to troubleshoot, read logs, use utilities, etc. Be prepared to put some real time into getting through this book, though. It is quite detailed and quite lengthy.

So, if I were to make recommendations, I'd
say that the combo of the Administrator's Companion and the Resource Guide will
keep you in the best standing knowledge-wise with the SMS product line.

Please tell me if you have any other books
that might prove useful to someone in my role. Tell me what you like or
dislike and whether or not you'd recommend your book to others.